Combination exercising apparatus



COMBINATION EXERCISING APPARATUS Filed April 20, 1940 A 2f/(35 1.1. y 43 53 i|| l. i i ill.

. xl7 ad w lf2/@4 45 v 38 5?/ 47 39 47 51 5f A/Z 35 )36 T 30 I 0 50a i 37 46 4.90 l 5 Q Z9 20c i 2] f? 33115- f? 'I o 5 5 3 V 54 l .7 2 y 26 [ls/ 33 Q d/ i /0 5 58 /8 l"\ o i L 22 2, 20 zo@ .af Z 52 l o /9 45 f4 E? ,e Y 46 205 2@ 46 33 15 ,20 :e5 '26 en I3 f/ 2662/ 2?/ 2f INVENTQRQ9 vZ5 l/f/ VRY MMM ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1941 UNITED .STATES `PTENT OFFIQE 2,267,376 Y coiynnNA'rron nxnnclslndA APPARATUS y Henry Malm, New"rork, N. y. i 1`appl;tation april 2o, wml-serial No. 339,644

-1K1 claims.

This ini'enti0r 1 ;re1ates :to a yunitary apparatus employneadiustably relatedfparts'byzmeans 0f which various -typlesLand4 kinds of exercises may b e :performed; and nthe object A of the inventionK is tO- Drqtide'@unitaryaeraratuf the kind under -i consideration employing-means forforming a i' horizontal bar- -at 3 different gheights; toV `adapt it forseverai` useswith meansrlfor quickly coupling the barY in yits` different positions off adjustment;

aifurther object being-toprovide yincombination with,v the 'adjustable bar,-Y means extending through the tubular sides vthereof and in the tubular supports for-'the-bar for supporting .resistance elements having` meansat `the `outer eX- trernities .thereofiforcouplingzhand` grips therewithin performing various types and` kinds of exercises with the apparatus; a further object being Yto provide the :base portion ,of the apparatus with, a Acollapsible.-seat ,structureaand with an extensible foot and arm barb, and with these and other objects Vin flviewf theninvention consists ina unitary apparatuslof the class-andfor thepurpose specified. Which-is simple. in construction,ei cient in useand which isY constructed 91S hereinafter describedand=c1aimed-J i The invention, i o, f ully!v disclosed. -in the following,` specification, ofl which.: the accompanying drawing forro-ns a part, in which: the separate parts of my4 improvement. are. designated by suitable reference characters inv each of ,the views, and in .Fig.i1 isva perspective View of -the apparatus vvithpartsot` theconstruction broken away and indicating partsin diiferent positions.

line2-2ofFig. 1. l

F.ig. 3 isanenlarged andbrqken sectional View Aontheuline 3-3 of l'ig.1; ,andp .-Fig, 4 is a sectional detail wviewv of a part of the structure shoWn in Fig.,1. w o. v It is the purpose of my jinvention'to provide a unitaryapparatus `which may be permanently set upin the home for `convenient, daily use, or use in clubs, gymnasiurns, and many other places of this` type and kind,. 'and by means 'of` which numerous bodyrbuilding exercises may 'be `performed. For example, 4the apparatus may form a tall horizontal bar which may b e-used for chinning exercises. Thisbar may also `be adapt- `Fig. V2 is asectional view substantially onV the ed for easy graspingby individuals of diiferent heights, While atthe same time using thebar forthe. performanceof calisthenic feats, .as is commonwithothenbars of.this type and. kind. Still further, my` invention provides a unitary apparatus having resistance elements in the form of @heavy extensible rubber rods terminating at theirwends .in4 hand or foot engagement means whereby various exercises in the development of the arms and legs as Well as inthe development of the back and stomach muscles may be performed in conjunction Withfother adjustable parts of the-apparatus. VOne part of the apparatus includes a foot and hand. engaging part, and the other part a raised seat member or support. j `To-illustrate one adaptation of the invention, I have shown `a unitary apparatus comprising a base.A I0= having upwardly extending tubular side members II,-in conjunction with Which is adjustably` coupled a horizontal bar I2 having integral side member I3 telescoping with the tubes I-IY. -The bar I2 and sides AI3 thereof may be of tubular construction to reduce the Weight'of-the entire unit. The members I3 and bar. 'I2 collectively-form la. U -shapedframe adjustable with respect to yfthe supports II. At. I is shown `a combinationf foot and l hand cross-bar adjustable longitudinally of Vthe base il). At I5 is shown a platform arrangedupon the base; at .I6 a seat membernorm-ally collapsible in the base and adaptedwto -beraised in-upright position as seen inFigvL -V A 'NIhe:foregoing forrnswhatmight Abe termed the main -frameparts of. the apparatus.` Considering-the base-:IIL it will appearthat this base comprises Velongated side members I1 terminating atftheir ends .in `supporting feet I8 which may be bolted or screwed to a supporting surface, or as seen in- Fig. 2, provided with rubber or other cushioned feet I9 imbedded -in the lower surfaces thereof. The side members I'I are integrally joined by a transverse supporting frame 20 which is of openwork construction as indicatedin Fig. 1,. and). terminates at its ends in supporting feet `lfI'he. supporting frame 2 0 has bearings 22 and 23 centrally and longitudinally 4thereof for receiving. `and supporting a rod 24` attached centrally tothe member I4. The upper surface of therod 24 `has spaced notches 25, one of Which is adapted to engage aange portion 20a formed onthe cross-member` 201) of the frame 20, `so

that by raising the member I4 slightly, this memb er may be moved backand forth in the frame 20 toadjust the spacing of the member I4. If desired, the entire member I4 including the rod 24 `may be removed from the base Which would be desirableV in ,performing .some exercising operation. p

lfihe rea-rf portion 20cv of the frame A2G is in the form-offa reduced extension upon `thesides of which are arranged pins or studs 26 and 21. The upper studs 25 engage elongated slots 28 in the sides 29 of the seat member I6, whereas the studs 21 engage recesses opening through the lower ends of the sides 29, so that by raising the seat, the sides 29 may be disengaged from the studs 21 and the seat dropped into position rearwardly of and in alinement with the extension 20c of the base. The upper cross-plate 3D of the member I6 is als-o provided with a cushioned or upholstered surface 3I, so as to protect the body of the person seated upon or otherwise engaging the member I6.

The member I4 is provided with two hand-grip portions 32 to opposite ends of which are pivotally coupled feet engaging straps or loops 33. On outer ends of the members 32 are arranged small pulleys or guide rollers 34. In certain uses of the apparatus the feet may be placed in the loops 33 with a person seated upon the member I3 in going through rowing and back-bending exercises where the legs of the individual are more or lessrmly supported in position. In other instances a person may rest the shoulders or back upon the member I6 with the feet engaging the loops 33 in performing other exercises. Still further the individual may lie face downwardly with the legs resting upon the seat YI6 and with the hands engaging the grips 32 in carrying out other types of exercises. In all of the above instances the relative positions of adjustment of the member I4 with respect to the member I6 may be regulated to suit the individual and the different types and kinds of exercises being performed. These exercises may be performed independent of or in conjunction with tension, elements employed as now more specifically described.

Adjustably supported in the lower end portions of the tubular supports II are blocks 35 having wing screws 36 operating in elongated slots 31 in the tubes II, to adjust and fix the position of the blocks 35 in the tubes. In each tube II is arranged a tensioning element 38 in the form of a heavy rubber rod constructed of extensible rubber such as commonly employed in rubber exercising devices well known in the trade. These rods are provided with enlarged heads 39 at each end, one seating in the block 35 passing through an enlarged opening at one side of the block, and the other seating in a coupling ring 43 to which is secured a rod or cable 4I. The cable 4I extends upwardly through the tube II and the tubular sides I3 and passes outwardly through apertures adjacent the upper horizontal bar I2Y and around pulleys 42 supported on brackets 43 secured to the tubes I3 adjacent the bar I2 by welding or in any other desired manner.

On the brackets 43 are a pair of oppositely directed eyes 44 to which are coupled stay-wires or cables 45 which are also connected with turnbuckles 45 secured to the ends of the side members I1 of the frame. The cables 45 have line clamps 41 therein to compensate for the vertical adjustments of the horizontal bar I2,

The cord or cable 4I has at its end a ring or eye 48 with which may be coupled a snap hook 43 at the end of a long extension 50 or a short extension 53a, the latter being indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The short extension 50a. is shown in full lines at the left of the apparatus in Fig. 1 having a snap hook 49a for attachment with an eye 48a at the other end of the extension 50. In other Words, the `shortextension 55a may be used with the extension 5G when the latter is passed around the pulleys or guide rollers 34 in the various sitting or rowing exercises performed on the apparatus. By detaching the extensions 50, the short extensions 50a may be coupled with the rings 48 for use when the individual stands upon the platform I5 in performing various arm exercises and bending exercises, as will be readly apparent to those accustomed to using exercising apparatus of the general type and kind under consideration. The short extensions 53a terminate in hand grip portions 5I of any type and kind.

.In connection with the use of the apparatus in extending the elastic tension elements 38, it will be understood that these elements will be stretched longitudinally of the tube II-I3. By adjusting the blocks 35 vertically, the degree of resistance may be increased or decreased to suit individuals of different heights so as to be equivalent to and in fact superior to the customary use of weights in exercising devices of the general type and kind under consideration.

Several advantages of the present construction are for example the concealment of the tension elements within the tubular structure of the frame, and further in the adjustable means for increasing and decreasing the tension of these elements. It will be understood, however, that by stepping forwardly on the platform I5, greater resistance will be provided in using the devices as indicated in dot and dash lines in Fig. l, whereas in the full line position shown in the drawing, the adjustment of the member I4 forwardly and backwardly in the frame will further increase and decrease the resistance of the elements 38.

'With the construction of the type and kind under consideration, it is desirable to provide means for supporting the horizontal bar I2 at different heights with respect to the platform I5 to adapt the apparatus for use by small children as well as with adults and relatively tall individuals; and further in performing various types and kinds of exercises on the bar. In the accompanying drawing I have shown one method of providing for this adjustment in a quick and simple manner, while at the same time forming a strong and durable coupling between the parts. The tubular side members I3 will be provided with longitudinally spaced apertures I3al to provide for adjustable mounting of the bar I2. At the upper end of each standard II is secured a collar 52 having outwardly projecting bearings 53 in which are supported key pins 54 on the reduced shanks 55 of which are arranged springs 56 which normally support the pins 54 in operative position. Knobs 51 are secured to the Shanks 55 outwardly of the bearings 53 to facilitate movement of the pins 54 into inoperative position or to withdraw the same from the apertures I3a in the members I3. In other Words, the pins 54 provid-e means for retaining the bar I2 in the different vertical positions of adjustment. 'Ihe construction of one of the couplings is shown in detail in Fig. 4 of the drawing. It will be understood that the bearings 53 project outwardly of the sides of the supports II as will clearly appear in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

It will be understood that the member I4 may be termed a foot rail for purposes of description, particularly in the use of this device in the manner illustrated in full lines in Fig. 1v of the drawing; that is to say Where the flexible strands 4I or the extension5{1 -itl ielje'fr are, passdaround-the pulleys 34. f if L' 'l n;` wur anche apparent "that 4when the honl zontal, bar is not usedgthe Lstay cablesor Wires t may be -disengagec'l `from, 'theturn-buckles or throughthe linefc'lamps.; However, #it is preferred that vthe apparatus maybe maintained 'in a fullysetup position ,so as to adapt thej complete unit-furthe performanceof many types and kinds of exercises and'to` haveV the unit available at all times for the performance of theseexeri cises without the waste of any' time in--setting-up or adjusting theA parts, outside of the quick` ad justments that are =aiorded to tl'ie members` I4 andlE. i' Y e It will alsofbe understood thatvv otherflengths of extensions'suchras thelextensionsmay be used in othert'ypesy otleg nexerciseawwhile the operatoris, hanging from the'horizontal rbarIZ. While the ,arrangement as shown in -full lines Vin Fig. l of thedrawinglmay'beusedin liftingexercises, it will `also be apparent that other pulleys may be `arranged on the base of the apparatus for'thispurpose.' e i Havingiullydescribed "my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure byvLetters Patent, is:" i 1. An apparatusof'the class described comprising a base,` a platformen said `beasefa horizontal bar member, means'- at thesides of the base supporting said bar fr nember over said plate form, said last namedin'eansincluding adjustable stay strands between` the base and end portions of said bar member, resiliently extensible tension elements mounted within the first nar'riedlrrieans',

said elements having secured thereto -iilexible strands extending I longitudinally" of said'iirst named means, pulleys at the end portions V'of said horizontal bar around which said` flexible strands pass, and hand grips detachably `coupled with said flexible strands by means of which said elements may be actuated. e n e 2. An apparatus of the Aclass described com# prising a base, a platform on said base, a horizontal bar member, means at the sidesof the base supporting said bar member over said platform, said last named means including adjustable stay strands between the base and end portions of said bar member, tension elements mounted within the rst named means, said ele- 1 ments having flexible strands extending longitudinally of said rst named means, pulleys at the end portions of said horizontal bar around which said flexible strands pass, hand grips detachably coupled with said flexible strands by means of which said elements may be actuated, said base including a longitudinally adjustable foot supporting bar, and means on said bar for supporting and guidingA said exible strands.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a base, a platform on said base, a horizontal bar member, means at the sides of the base supporting said bar member over said platform, said last named means including adjustable stay strands between the base and end portions of said bar member, tension elements mounted within the rst named means, said elements having iiexible strands extending longitudinally of said first named means, pulleys at the end portions of Said horizontal bar around which said flexible strands pass, hand grips detachably coupled with said flexible strands by means of which said elements may be actuated,

said base including a longitudinally adjustable` foot supporting bar, means on said bar for supperdue fasdguiiiing sarei-ilegible strands', a seatmember? orlnally icllapsedf' fthe' b'ase,` and means fori supporting the seat member in upright position overpar-t offsaidplatform f 4. An` apparatus 'of-tl-ie character described comprising a baseh aving` upwardly `extending tubular side supports 'andla U`shap`ed member comprising tubular 'sides joinedwby a cross-bar, said tubular sideshaving a telescopic engagement with the vertical supports of said base, means adjustablyflsupporti'ng fthefo'rossLbar at diierent heights withl respectto said tubular supports, elongated elastici elementshaving one end adjustably mounted 'in said tubular supports, means couplingia ilexib1e`strand` with the other end of said elements -and' `extending longitudinally through the supports and the tubular sides of said Ushaped member 'and extending outwardly through the latterad-jacent the ends of said cross-bar, and means detachably coupling hand grip portions-"With the free ends of 'said exible strands. 1' L f .1 r*

gAnapparatus of 'the' character described comprisinga base having upwardly extending tubular 'side supportsr and la' `Usl`iaped member comprising tubular.' sides joined by a cross-bar, said ftubulansidesf having a` telescopic engagement withfthe vertical'` supports of said base, means adjustably supportingthe crossbar at diierent heights with respect to said tubular supports, elongated lasticielements `having fone end adjustably mounted' in said tubular supports, means coupling .'a flexible strand with the other end ."f 's'aid elementsl .andA extending longitudinal'lythrough'the' supports and the tubular sides of. said;A U=shap`edfniember and extending outwardly tlirougljtheilatter. adjacent the ends of said' cross-'bari means detachablycoupling hand grip portionswitlittheffree endsV of. said exible strands, a foot'rail adjustable longitudinally of the .base, .means fretain'ing the :rail in different positionscof i adjustment',A and means supporting andgudingsaid exible; strands at the end portionsof saidrail." i f i 6.' An apparatus ofvithe'. character described comprising aA base 'having'.upwardly' extending tubular side supports anda VU shaped .member comprising tubular sides joined by a cross-bar, said tubular sides having a telescopic engagement with the vertical supports of said base, means adjustably supporting the cross-bar at different heights with respect to said tubular supports, elongated elastic elements having one end adjustably mounted in said tubular Supports, means coupling a flexible strand with the other end of said elements and extending longitudinally through the supports and the tubular sides of said U-shaped member and extending outwardly through the latter adjacent the ends of said cross-bar, means detachably coupling hand grip portions with the free ends of said flexible strands, a foot rail adjustable longitudinally of the base, means retaining the rail in different positions of adjustment, means supporting and guiding said flexible strands at the end portions of said rail, a seat member normally collapsed within side members of the base, and means for supporting the seat member in upright position.

7. An exercising unit of the class described comprising a base consisting of elongated side members joined by a cross-frame of openwork structure, a platform supported on said frame, said side members having centrally thereof upwardly extending elongated tubular supports, a

U-shaped frame member comprising a horizontal with the tubular supports in fixing the position of the horizontal bar With respect to said platform, an adjustable stayingY means coupled with the end portions of the sides of said base and .with said Ushaped frame adjacent the' ends of said horizontal bar for bracing the bar in said unit.

8. An exercising unit of the class described comprising a base consisting of elongated side members joined by a cross-frame of openwork structure, a platform supported on said frame, said side members having centrally thereof up- Wardly extending elongated tubular supports, a U-shaped frame member comprising a horizontal bar and depending tubular sides having a telescoping engagement with said tubular supports, means adjustably coupling the U-shaped frame with the tubular supports in fixing the position of the horizontal bar with respect to said platform, an adjustable staying means coupled with the end portions of the sides of said base and With said U-shaped frame adjacent the ends oi said horizontal bar for bracing the bar in said unit, a transverse member protruding from one end portion of the base, and means adjustably supporting said member longitudinally of the base.

9. An exercising unit of the class described comprising 'a base consisting of elongated side members joined by a cross-frame of openwork structure, a platform supported on said frame, said side members having centrally thereof upwardly extending elongated tubular supports, a U-shaped frame member comprising a horizontal bar and depending tubular sides having a telescoping engagement with said tubular supports, means adjustably coupling the U-shaped frame with the tubular supports in xing the position of the horizontal bar with respect to said platform, an adjustable staying mea-ns coupled with the end portions of the sides of said base and with said U-shaped frame adjacent the ends of said horizontal bar for bracing the bar in said unit, a transverse member protruding from one end portion of the base, means adjustably supporting said member longitudinally of the base, and a seat member collapsibly supported in connection with the other end portion of said base. l0. An apparatus of the class described comprising a base, a platform on said base, a horizontal bar, means extending vertically at the sides of the base supporting said bar over said platform, said Iirst named means including means for adjusting said bar to different vertical positions, resiliently extensible tension elements mounted Within the first named means, said elements having secured thereto exible strands extending longitudinally of the rst named means and outwardly at end portions of said horizontal bar, guide means adjacent the end portions of said horizontal bar through which said flexible strands pass, said guide means including pulleys extending from the axes of said first named means outwardly through inner opposed sides thereof below said bar, and hand grips detachably coupled with the ends of said flexible strand by means of which said elements may be actuated.

11. An apparatus of the class described cornprising a base, a platform on said base, a horizontal bar, means extending vertically at the sides of the base supporting said bar over said platform, said first named means including means for adjusting said bar to different vertical positions, resiliently extensible tension elements mounted Within the first named means, said elements having secured thereto exible strands extending longitudinally of the first named means and outwardly at end portions of said horizontal bar, guide means adjacent the end portions of said horizontal bar through which said iiexible strands pass, said guide means including pulleys exi-ending from the axes of said i-lrst named means outwardly through inner' opposed sides thereof below said bar, hand grips detachably coupled with the ends of said iiexible strands by means of which said elements may be actuated, and adjustable means coupled with the base for bracing said rst named means and horizontal bar.

HENRY MALli. 

